UW-L offers great preparation for travel abroad
UW-L history major Rachel Gebo, right, interviews Mervat El Nahas, of Cairo, Egypt, about her participation in the ongoing Egyptian revolution. The interview was part of a public history course focused on the oral history of the Egyptian revolution and post revolution. Photo courtesy of Heidi Morrison
SAA program graduate Colin Burns-Gilbert agrees that the experience in Germany changed his perspective on some of the traditional practices, services and opportunities today in American higher education. He was also able to teach others about his culture. “Many of our interactions, whether it was with students, faculty or professionals, involved a reciprocal sharing of best practices, philosophies and ideas,” Burns-Gilbert says. “The Germans were just as interested in our cul-
ture of caring and serving the students as we were in their dynamic of focusing almost strictly on the academic experience of students.” In addition to giving students an experience abroad, professors say international travel allows them to do research in other countries, document and write about their experiences, to disseminate knowledge, and make important connections with faculty abroad that can lead to more research opportunities and faculty exchanges.
While many schools offer a pre-departure orientation, UW-L’s International Studies preparation is unique. Not only do students receive a pre-departure orientation, but students who travel for a semester or academic year are required to attend a one-credit course (INS 250) where they explore challenges related to international study and research such as: culture shock, intercultural sensitivity and communication and reverse culture shock. Additional optional courses, INS 251 and 252, if taken in a sequence with INS 250, satisfy a multicultural aspect of UW-L’s general education curriculum.
See how faculty bring back their world travels to the classroom and plan for future study abroad programs. Pages 14-18 CAPSTONE Fall 2013 7